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The duo sat on a colorful rug in the library at the Children and Family Resource Center. The nonprofit kicked off the “Reading to Rover” program Thursday afternoon, hoping to help emerging readers gain confidence in their ability to read by reading aloud to therapy dogs.

Kiefer, a Hendersonville Elementary student, enjoyed the experience.

“He's so cute,” she said shyly, “and he's a good listener.”

Natalie Kiefer brought her two daughters to the event after seeing a flier at the school. She also brought her 8-year-old daughter, Maci.

“I think it's great,” Natalie Kiefer said. “It's definitely a different avenue for the kids to learn how to read.”

This is a movement that's been brewing for five or six years, coordinator Noreen Quinn said. The program addresses confidence, which can sometimes be the biggest obstacle to overcome with emergent readers.

“It's just a way to get kids comfortable reading,” Quinn said. “The dog doesn't care if you make mistakes. What kids need at that age is confidence.”

Charlene Farrell echoed those sentiments. Romeo was rescued by Farrell in 2010 and is a certified therapy dog. He normally does his therapy work through Paws on a Mission at Mission Hospital.

“Dogs aren't judgmental,” she said. “He's just here for the love and attention.”

Farrell is also a preschool teacher at Immacculata Catholic School and loves the idea of children reading to dogs.

“It's wonderful,” she said. “It's just amazing.”

The program will be offered on Thursday afternoons from 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Children who sign up get a block of time to spend with the dog. The program is available to anyone in the community and books are available for kids to choose from.

For more information on the program, visit www.childrenandfamily.org or call 698-0674.

<p>Jamison Kiefer sat down on a pillow, opened “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and looked down at Romeo. Romeo, a Yorkie terrier, stared back as his 5-year-old companion began to describe the book. </p><p>The duo sat on a colorful rug in the library at the Children and Family Resource Center. The nonprofit kicked off the “Reading to Rover” program Thursday afternoon, hoping to help emerging readers gain confidence in their ability to read by reading aloud to therapy dogs. </p><p>Kiefer, a Hendersonville Elementary student, enjoyed the experience. </p><p>“He's so cute,” she said shyly, “and he's a good listener.”</p><p>Natalie Kiefer brought her two daughters to the event after seeing a flier at the school. She also brought her 8-year-old daughter, Maci. </p><p>“I think it's great,” Natalie Kiefer said. “It's definitely a different avenue for the kids to learn how to read.”</p><p>This is a movement that's been brewing for five or six years, coordinator Noreen Quinn said. The program addresses confidence, which can sometimes be the biggest obstacle to overcome with emergent readers.</p><p>“It's just a way to get kids comfortable reading,” Quinn said. “The dog doesn't care if you make mistakes. What kids need at that age is confidence.”</p><p>Charlene Farrell echoed those sentiments. Romeo was rescued by Farrell in 2010 and is a certified therapy dog. He normally does his therapy work through Paws on a Mission at Mission Hospital. </p><p>“Dogs aren't judgmental,” she said. “He's just here for the love and attention.”</p><p>Farrell is also a preschool teacher at Immacculata Catholic School and loves the idea of children reading to dogs. </p><p>“It's wonderful,” she said. “It's just amazing.”</p><p>The program will be offered on Thursday afternoons from 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Children who sign up get a block of time to spend with the dog. The program is available to anyone in the community and books are available for kids to choose from. </p><p>For more information on the program, visit www.childrenandfamily.org or call 698-0674. </p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>